Cambodians Are Feeling the Effects of Climate Change

On 10 May 2011 the Cambodian Ministry of Environment and the BBC World Service Trust released their latest research report, called 'Understanding Public Perceptions of Climate Change in Cambodia', at Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

With reference to the report, Cambodians interviewed say that their weather and environment are changing and that people are feeling the effects. Most people associate weather changes with disease, farming difficulties, drought, increasing temperatures, decreased yields and water shortages. Almost everyone says their work is affected by the changing weather.

Many respondents reportedly have an incomplete or incorrect understanding of the causes of climate change. More than two-thirds (67%) of people surveyed think deforestation within Cambodia causes the weather to change. A few think that damage to the ozone layer is causing temperatures to increase. Very few have heard of the greenhouse effect.

Charles Hamilton, BBC WST Country Director in Cambodia, hands in the report to H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth, Minister of Environment